Lauren Crowley, Author at fannypack travel

Lessons in Motorbiking

Lauren Crowley — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 06:04:51 +0000

I never intended to learn to drive a motorcycle. I lived in Thailand for an entire year when I was 26 and far more adventurous and far less concerned with my own mortality. During all that time I never bothered to learn. It was a handy excuse when someone was needed to run errands during rush hour or during monsoon season. I didn’t really miss the independence, as everywhere I wanted to go was a cheap motorcycle taxi ride away. […]

The post Lessons in Motorbiking appeared first on fannypack travel.

How to Live and Work Abroad

Lauren Crowley — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 10:13:26 +0000

Do you ever feel like practically everyone is jet setting absolutely everywhere all the time while you saved and scraped for months just to take a long weekend and drive yourself across state lines? Local travel is seriously underrated, but if you are ready to up your game and travel internationally or long term, then let’s talk finances. Itinerary listicles and fabulous profile pics from each wonder of the world should really come with a reality price tag. How are […]

The post How to Live and Work Abroad appeared first on fannypack travel.

Phuket Named UNESCO Creative City

Lauren Crowley — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 14:36:23 +0000

In honor of my new stomping grounds, Phuket, being recently declared a UNESCO Creative City due to its gastronomical delights, I would like to share my absolute favorite restaurants and dishes with you. Although each Thai region boasts unique and local treats, the food scene in Phuket is a bit different than the rest of Thailand. The island of Phuket is much more culturally heterogeneous than the mainland, and the proof is in the pudding. Food joke! The history of […]

The post Phuket Named UNESCO Creative City appeared first on fannypack travel.

How to Ethically Interact with Wildlife

Lauren Crowley — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 14:10:53 +0000

Living on a tropical island with no indigenous elephants, in a country with many indigenous elephants, I see a lot of tourists on elephant back. It’s like, part of my commute. Having done one these types of tours myself, I know what lots of guides insist. That the elephant hide is thick. It doesn’t feel the poke of the stick jabbed into the back of its neck. It’s strong and can support your weight. It’s well fed. What is not […]

The post How to Ethically Interact with Wildlife appeared first on fannypack travel.

New Year’s Travel Goals

Lauren Crowley — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 14:07:58 +0000

Before the New Year gets away from actually being new, I wanted to take some time to reflect on a bit of inventory from this year, in order to cultivate a bit of mindful gratitude, as well as to set some goals for the coming year. As a teacher, I operate in two different years, usually allowing the calendar new year to be overshadowed; so I’m taking the opportunity to nourish this part of my identity: the inquisitive visitor, the […]

The post New Year’s Travel Goals appeared first on fannypack travel.

7 Unbelievable Southwest Parks That are Not the Grand Canyon

Lauren Crowley — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 00:09:12 +0000

A couple of years ago, during the all tumult caused by congresses shutting down the federal government, I had already made plans to hike the Grand Canyon. I had lived in western New Mexico for almost three years and had never seen it! Unfortunately, as the fixed date of my entry into the park drew nearer, it became clear that I was going to have to make alternate plans. Fortunately for me, The Four Corners has more than enough incredible […]

The post 7 Unbelievable Southwest Parks That are Not the Grand Canyon appeared first on fannypack travel.

Exploring Penang Two Days at a Time

Lauren Crowley — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 01:10:45 +0000

Although I am incredibly lucky to be welcomed into Thailand as a guest and immigrant and am allowed to be gainfully employed, the biggest downside to working abroad has to be the paperwork involved. So. Many. Papers. And I will never fully understand why we need to leave the country to change a visa to another kind of visa, vis-à-vis our status, but that’s how it is. Thankfully, Penang, Malaysia, my visa run destination, is a delightful city to while […]

The post Exploring Penang Two Days at a Time appeared first on fannypack travel.

Beginner’s Guide to Motorbiking

Lauren Crowley — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 06:48:56 +0000

So you’ve arrived in Southeast Asia, or the Caribbean, or some other destination that will just give the go ahead to anyone with $5 to menacing their streets with their rookie motorbike skills. You don’t have an international driver’s license, you don’t have a motorcycle license, you’ve never ridden on the back, let alone driven a bike, so should you throw caution to the wind and dispatch yourself on the exploration of uncharted adventures with a freedom that’s been hitherto […]

The post Beginner’s Guide to Motorbiking appeared first on fannypack travel.

How to Cope With a Sexual Assault Abroad

Lauren Crowley — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 05:58:35 +0000

Women who travel, or want to travel, are constantly forced to reconcile the safety of their bodies with their right and desire to see and experience the world. As discerning and smart as

The post How to Cope With a Sexual Assault Abroad appeared first on fannypack travel.

Exploring Hanoi by Motorbike

Lauren Crowley — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 00:08:39 +0000

Having only seven full days in Vietnam, I limited our exploration to the North, and rented a dirt bike to explore the areas around Hanoi. We spent two days in Hanoi itself, in the Old Quarter. Two things I noticed right away: The driving is BANANAS! The only rule seems to be: Don’t die. Seriously, there is not procedure for right of way at an intersection, just don’t hit anyone or get hit. And we succeeded! I did not […]

The post Exploring Hanoi by Motorbike appeared first on fannypack travel.